Karhu continues its return to running shoes with this reliable stability trainer. It’s built on a cushioned, functional and unobtrusive platform designed to maximize a natural heel-to-toe gait cycle. In the rearfoot, two soft foam layers sandwich a plastic cradle and denser and asymmetric foam layer, a combination that keeps the foot on course toward the forefoot. The upper’s heel collar and tongue are thick, and, because the upper uses mostly Ghilley loops and therefore wraps high on the foot, it gives the impression of completely enveloping the foot. Some testers felt safe, but a few suffered a bout of foot claustrophobia.